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Writer's Haven => Writer's Workshop [Public] => Topic started by: Ronn Munsterman on November 19, 2020, 07:26:53 AM

Title: Sometimes writing goes wrong
Post by: Ronn Munsterman on November 19, 2020, 07:26:53 AM

I write based on a plot that I prepare first and then update as needed. Yesterday evening, in my MC's main story line's climatic chapter of the new book, I discovered I'd written myself into a corner, or a box.

Rather than trying to figure out the solution at 9:45 pm, I switched to a different, earlier chapter for another character. This morning, while walking our dog, Lila, the solution suddenly presented itself all on its own.

Fixed the problem and it only cost me 78 words.

Thank you, Lila!

Title: Re: Sometimes writing goes wrong
Post by: Maggie Ann on November 19, 2020, 07:41:03 AM

I hope you give Lila a writing credit  :dog1:

Title: Re: Sometimes writing goes wrong
Post by: Vijaya on November 19, 2020, 08:12:42 AM

long lingering walks with a dog are so fruitful.

Title: Re: Sometimes writing goes wrong
Post by: LilyBLily on November 19, 2020, 11:33:42 AM

The shower is my plotting lab.

Also, I've found that a well-timed snow storm can solve many plot issues.  grint

Title: Re: Sometimes writing goes wrong
Post by: idontknowyet on November 19, 2020, 12:30:39 PM

telling me i have a deadline to get these edits done gives me a million new story ideas. none of which i have time to write down

Title: Re: Sometimes writing goes wrong
Post by: Simon Haynes on November 19, 2020, 01:44:45 PM

Heh I know that feeling. I went through a dozen pages of scribbled notes yesterday, culling some and putting other comments into the right projects.

There's a pile of 5 pages of scrawl on the spare bed right now, which is an entire scene I wrote when I was meant to be going to sleep. That's for a book I'm not starting until April next year.

Title: Re: Sometimes writing goes wrong
Post by: CaptnAndy on November 20, 2020, 04:20:52 AM

A long time ago, I was writing a near-term SF novel where the Soviet Union was a major player in the first half of the story. It fell apart before I finished, and the book  went on the shelf for several years before a complete rewrite. Since then, I have not written near-term books.

Title: Re: Sometimes writing goes wrong
Post by: R. C. on November 20, 2020, 04:31:18 AM

Um, uh, ya know... I kinda like it when something goes awry in the arc of the story. 

I like the idea of backing up, pointing in a new direction, and seeing how far it can go until... damn it, back up again.

Eventually, something good comes along which makes the two-steps-forward, one-step back, process worth the trouble.

Yeah, maybe it is just me.

Cheers,
R.C.